New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-31
The RINGLEADER CONFESSES.
SIX PLAINFIELD "fIRE BUGS" HELD

PLEADING GUILTY TO SEVERAL ARso"s-sYM-
PATHIZERs ABUSING THE DETECTIvr.
The exhremen who were arrested at Plainnoid. n. j.
on sunday on CHARGES OF arson. had hearing at r. m
yesterday before city Judge ulnch. Corpora
ton Counsel Marsh, Mayor Male ana other
officials were present. John NJ Jackson was first
called. lie Is accredited with being the leader He
pleaded guilty having fire to the house at which he
was discovered and also 70 the barn OF j. Denton on
July H. aud to the barn OF Mr. McCutcheon on August
IA He was also, ou complaint OF Murphy, the
detective who exposed them, Jointly charged
I'm connection with Lewis. Horace and
Theodore Van Nest with setting fire TO the house OF Car
man Pease. UnIon-aye. on March Is. The Van Nest
brothers all pleaded not guilty. George Reed and Ha-
penny were charged with setting fire 10 the barn OF isaac
Brown August 81 They pleaded mot guilty All the
cases were down for trial for tomorrow at p m
Its now made public that fund Of 81 900 was raised
by few wealthy citizens last spring toward defrayng
the expenses OF running down the ncendarss and from
this fund all the expenses have been paid.
Robert skinner who Is REGARDED as an important Wit
ness required TO furnish $500 ball FOR bis appear
prisoners until they are removed to the County jail in
Elizabeth When tie proceedinss before Judge Giren
crowd OF the prisoners friends They made oil
kinds OF threats. but Murphy. paid little a.ten-
eoanered Sn TO oe BaeDo and Bl Nash friends Of tue
Imprisoned hrsmcn. They used abusive language to
hole than yon have put the boys Murphy finally
said 81 both OF you you will have TO come with
me-" He then took them 10 the police station hut would
not say whether they had any connection with the
At Railway, westneld. Fanwood and Crawford.
Yesterday, tho topic engrossed much attention
Edward j. Murphy's success In unearthing the
ince ndaries has made him most popular He
10 snrap Jackson Saturday night had escape
from proving failure through a Misunderstanding be
tween Councilman Carey and Murphy as TO which build
ing was be fred and Jackson was caught In the act
only by chance Carey and the other watchers supposed
IL was the barn that 10 be fired, and To got
n good view OF Il, Carey sat down on
the back stOop OF the house, which was an
empty one. Moore stationed at corner OF the
lot and Policeman Lynch al another. Moore heard
Jackson and Murphy approaching through a field ad
Joining tho OF tho lot he was In and fearing lie
get shot II alone, came over 10 MT Carey on the
stoop and told him the coming. Carey hurried
him back and upbraded him for leaving his post Moore
returned finally and Carey then went over 10 the other
corner tell officer Lynch that their mon were coming
This him several minutes 70 and return, as II Was
several hundred yards
While he was absent Jackson and Murphy arrived and
jackson entered the house by OF the stoop. upon
which Mr. Carey had but 8 fow moments before been
sitting and which. but for his leaving To tell Lynch OF
tho approach OF tho incendares would have disclosed
his presence to Jackson in time for him to make his
cape when Mr. Carey did back he surprised TO
see Jackson and Murphy In the house and making prep
aratons set lire TO It, lie quickly summoned Oicer
Lynch with tho result as already told In THE TRIBUNE
Jacksops downfall Is solsly attributed 10 love OF rum
His wife interview tells pitiful story OF bis grad
al descent from kind husband and faher 10 worthless
and at times brutal wretch.